West Coast forward Jack Darling booted a career-best six goals to lift his team to a crushing 47-point victory over Richmond in Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash at Optus Stadium.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
West Coast Eagles 20.10.130
Richmond Tigers 12.11.83
The ladder leading West Coast Eagles and Richmond Tigers meet at Optus Stadium in the biggest clash of the season so far. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:40pm (AEST).
Well here it is. The match that the last month of football has been leading to and teasing us with, as these two teams have continued their unbeaten runs.
West Coast were beaten in Round 1 by the Swans and since, have compiled seven straight and impressive victories.
Not many anticipated such sparkling form from the men of the West so early this season yet their performances have been unquestionable.
Richmond’s only stumble came in round two against Adelaide and they have improved week to week since that time. The home advantage will be seen as valuable to West Coast and the manic front third pressure of the Tigers will need to at its best if they are to knock of the locals.
With class, talent and speed all over the park, this stands to be one of the most entertaining matches we have seen so far in 2018. Good weather and a firm surface could help shape it as a classic.
Prediction
Many are leaning the way of the Eagles thanks to the venue, however, I feel they need to earn their stripes in the bigger matches and might not quite be ready to withstand the intense Tiger pressure.
Both teams will lead this game at some point early yet as has been the case this season, the Tigers will skip away late as the pressure tells.
Richmond by 4 goals.
Catch all the action on The Roar live coverage from 4:40pm (AEST).
Howie
Roar Pro
So, yes you have
Chris
Guest
It's an indeniablecfact...Richmond will not win it this year. They have had their day. It's going to be West Coast vs Melbourne. Richmond may not even make it to the Preliminary Final all you Magpie haters. How sweet it is! I told you lot that you would get thumped, but better still you got mauled.
Downsey
Roar Pro
Thanks for the blogging. Enjoyed the reading :)
User
Roar Rookie
Winners are grinners :D
Downsey
Roar Pro
Fair call, bloated gloater.
User
Roar Rookie
Cheers mate, wife is sorting out Mexican so wins all round today
Matto
Guest
Yeah, cheers Stuart
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Cheers, what a win!
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Agreed!
Lroy
Guest
Good job blogging by the way, enjoyed that one ;-)
Stuart Thomas
Expert
It is official.....West Coast....best team in the land right now!
Stuart Thomas
Expert
The West Coast Eagles have taken on the Richmond Tigers, the seemingly unbeatable premiers, and thumped them at Optus Stadium. It was a wonderful performance, as Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling worked in tandem to slowly but surely chip away at the intense pressure of the Tigers and by the start of the final term they had them beaten. The Eagles have now made the statement that their fans hoped for and the competition needed, after the Tigers appeared to be playing a style that nobody could match. After tonight, it is clear that the Eagles are the best team in the League and will take some beating in the big games late in the year. Mark Le Cras, Kennedy and Darling were inspirational for the Eagles and the midfield of the Tigers was nowhere to be seen for much of the contest, despite some brave efforts from Dustin Martin, who does seem isolated when things go wrong. It was a great night for the Eagles and a thrill to commentate. Final score West Coast 20 10 130 Richmond 12 11 83
Lroy
Guest
Said it before, Lycett is a gun player in his own right... the other guy is just the icing on the cake ;-) ... and that is said with a large tongue in the cheek, the Flyin Fijian is obviously a champion, but they are really complimenting each other now.. they've both had a bad run with injuries so fingers crossed they get a decent run this year.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
And they would have won without Darling
anon
Roar Pro
Classy team West Coast. Great culture on and off the field. Players look well drilled, unrelenting, help each other out. Coach adapts changes in the game.
User
Roar Rookie
If we are to respect Shane then in good taste I'd avoid that sourpuss
User
Roar Rookie
Exactly matto
Kane
Guest
West Coast are a seriously good team. I reckon all clubs learnt today that you can't play one ruckmen against them.
Downsey
Roar Pro
I could make a Ben Cousins mates rates joke here, but I feel like even I couldn't go that low...
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Full Time 28 - It's over and the Eagles have smashed the Tigers at Optus Stadium.
West Coast: 20.10 (130) Richmond: 12.11 (83)